CAIRO: Saudi Arabia’s crown prince wound up his three-day visit to Egypt on Tuesday with a symbolically significant visit to Al-Azhar.
Accompanied by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was given a tour of the mosque at the heart of old Cairo to see the outcome of three years of restoration work financed by a Saudi grant. Also at hand was Al-Azhar’s Grand Imam, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb.
The mosque, built in the 10th century, is now part of a sprawling university teaching Islam as well as secular subjects and a nationwide network of schools. It is perceived to be a bastion of moderation whose teaching counters radicalism and violence.
Al-Tayeb thanked Prince Mohammed profusely for the kingdom’s help.
“This is our duty and every Saudi hopes that he can contribute, even in a simple way, to the renovation and improvement of Al-Azhar,” the Saudi heir apparent said in reply to Al-Tayeb.
The prince was given a warm welcome in Egypt, whose government views Saudi aid and investment as key to reviving the country’s battered economy. Posters featuring the prince alongside el-Sisi lined major roads in central Cairo. Pro-government television networks broadcast promotional videos about Saudi Arabia and the prince’s efforts to modernize the kingdom.
In what is perhaps a first for a Saudi heir apparent, Prince Mohammed and El-Sisi watched a play on Monday night at Cairo’s Opera House. In another first, he visited the spiritual leader of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox church, Pope Tawadros II, at the Cathedral of St. Mark in central Cairo.
He and el-Sisi traveled through one of several tunnels being built under the Suez Canal linking mainland Egypt with the Sinai peninsula. They later boarded a boat from a red-carpeted dock as an army band played marching music. The two countries have plans to build a causeway across the Red Sea’s Gulf of Aqaba and to develop areas on both sides, including a multi-billion dollar city stretching across Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan.
The prince left later Tuesday for London where he would be visiting before he travels on to Washington.
Saudi crown prince winds down trip to Egypt with mosque visit
Saudi crown prince winds down trip to Egypt with mosque visit
Five Arabian sand gazelles born in Buraidah Oasis
- Environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources
- Center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife has announced the birth of five endangered Arabian sand gazelles in the Buraidah Oasis, as part of the center’s breeding and resettlement programs.
This environmental achievement reflects national efforts to resettle wildlife, restore ecological balance in the Kingdom, and enhance the sustainability of its natural resources, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
The center continues to implement its strategic plans to preserve wildlife and enrich biodiversity in the Kingdom, in line with the Saudi Green Initiative, the National Environment Strategy, and Vision 2030.
Saudi foreign minister lands in US for official visit
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan landed in the United States on Tuesday, Al Arabiya Television reported.
Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rises to 78.8 years, says health ministry
- Reflects efforts to improve healthcare quality and strengthen preventive measures
- Ministry continues to enhance preventive and curative healthcare services, expand health education programs, and intensify early screening for diseases and tumors
RIYADH: Life expectancy in Saudi Arabia rose from 74 years in 2016 to 78.8 years in 2024, the Ministry of Health has said.
It reflects efforts to improve healthcare quality and strengthen preventive measures, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The announcement was made on World Health Day, celebrated annually on April 7, this year under the theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures.”
Saudi public health efforts are part of the Health Sector Transformation Program under Vision 2030, aimed at creating a vibrant society with better health and well-being, the SPA added.
Under the ministry’s supervision, the healthcare system launched targeted initiatives and awareness campaigns to promote healthy habits, encourage walking and support daily wellness practices.
This has contributed to improved public health and quality of life, paving the way toward the goal of raising life expectancy to 80 years by 2030, the SPA reported.
The ministry also implemented health and nutrition reforms in collaboration with various government entities, such as banning hydrogenated oils, reducing salt in foods, and mandating calorie labeling on food products and in restaurants. These measures contribute to better public health and a reduction in chronic diseases.
The ministry continues to enhance preventive and curative healthcare services, expand health education programs, and intensify early screening for diseases and tumors.
This aims to increase life expectancy, reduce chronic illnesses and improve quality of life, paving the way for a healthier, more prosperous and sustainable future.
Meanwhile, the World Assembly of Muslim Youth praised Saudi Arabia’s commitment to its health sector and the implementation of health programs, highlighting that societal advancement depends on individual well-being.
The organization said that Vision 2030 prioritizes the health sector, leading to improved medical services, better patient safety and satisfaction, and enhanced recovery through infrastructure development and institutional restructuring.
It also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s support for the global health sector, extending to numerous countries through health programs and medical convoys as part of the Kingdom’s humanitarian efforts.
Saudi aid agency to support 1,000 orphans in Syria
RIYADH: The Kingdom's aid agency, KSrelief, is providing humanitarian assistance to some of the world’s most vulnerable people, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Tuesday.
KSrelief signed a cooperation agreement with a civil society organization to support orphan care and economic empowerment in earthquake-affected areas of northwestern Syria.
The agreement aims to provide monthly cash allowances to 1,000 orphaned children in Jindires town and Aleppo governorate. It will also empower 400 women foster mothers through in-kind grants and vocational training, the SPA reported.
In Jordan, KSrelief organized recreational activities for 1,000 orphaned children from the Syrian refugee and host communities to improve their living conditions and bring joy.
In Yemen, KSrelief delivered more than 45 million liters of drinking and non-potable water to Hajjah and Saada governorates in one month as part of its water and sanitation project.
A mobile medical clinic in Hajjah governorate served 1,691 patients during the same period, the SPA added.
In Lebanon, KSrelief distributed 460 food baskets to vulnerable families in Koura, benefiting 2,300 people, and 6,181 vouchers as part of its clothing project.
Hajj Ministry sets April 13 as final Umrah entry date
RIYADH: The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has designated April 13 as the final date for those performing Umrah to enter Saudi Arabia, with April 29 set as the deadline for departure in preparation for the upcoming Hajj season.
The ministry emphasized that staying beyond this date will result in statutory penalties and urged individuals as well as Umrah companies and institutions to comply with regulations and instructions, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Companies and establishments serving pilgrims and Umrah performers that fail to report any delays to the relevant authorities could face fines of up to SR100,000 ($26,600), along with legal action being taken against those responsible.
Fines will be multiplied depending on how many individuals have violated the departure deadlines, according to the SPA.
On Monday, the Ministry of Interior said Hajj and Umrah service companies and establishments must adhere to all relevant rules and guidelines.
